Since I became a stay-at-home mom I’ve come to realize that I’m a mess!  My work-life was completely organized, structured with spreadsheets, plans, goals etc.  I knew where everything was.  At home I’ve found I need to get this crap organized!

So the first place I started was my pantry because I do have financial goals – you know, a budget – after all we did go from two incomes to one income.  So in order to cut my grocery bill from $800 to $300 a month, I first needed to know what exactly I have available in my pantry.

I WAS SHOCKED:  I found 2 jars of opened Nutella, 2 others new, 3 jars of new peanut butter and 2 jars already open – how much peanut butter do I think we need?! I had a whole bunch of tin muffin cups falling all over the place.  SERIOUSLY, how did I ignore this?!

I issued myself an Organization and Budget Challenge:

“Organize your pantry, go grocery shopping in your pantry BEFORE you go to the grocery store and make a list of what you need.   If you don’t have space in your pantry for something, then you don’t need it. Stay within $300 grocery budget and $150 household budget.”

Boxes, bags, and multiples of everything and no discernible organization method!  I can’t believe I lived like this!

To get organized, I purchased 2 Interdesign 4-Piece Fridge and Freezer Storage Bins and 2 boxes of these cute Mikasa Set of 2 Stacking Storage Baskets Steel Wire 13.5×10.5×7.9 Organizer!  All within my ‘Household’ budget line item.

The result, is huge! I had a ton of food that could easily last us for a month!

Here is what I did to organize my pantry to help stay within a $300 monthly grocery budget

(and yes I know they sound simple and logical, but you know what, I didn’t do it and I bet a lot of you are in the same boat – no judgement, just saying take a couple of hours and save yourself some time and money.  So, here you go ):

1. Compartmentalize: designate a shelf for a purpose and use the Kitchen Binz to further compartmentalize.  For example: one shelf I have designated for side dishes: vegetables, rice and pasta.  On that shelf within a Binz I have powder soups and rice packages, the vegetables are stacked within a Benz can holder.  At a glance, I can tell what we have readily available for dinner, sack lunches, snacks etc.
   I did the same for a baking shelf.  It is so handy to simply pull out a Binz and take it to the kitchen to make brownies!
2. Make snacks visible – ditch the boxes.  Put the snacks in clear containers instead of leaving them in a huge box. I used the stackable metal baskets for snacks.   This way I know at a glance what remains and whether I actually need to purchase more AND the kids know what they can grab and how many is left.
3. Donate staples that you know you won’t eat.  I’ve stubbornly held onto a box of granola bars I bought at Costco for about a year because 1)the kids said they’d eat them and darn it they are going to and 2) it was like 40 bars!  The reality – even I didn’t like the granola bars.  It was time to consider it a sunk cost and give it to someone who might actually like them.
4. Use wall space.  I used baskets were not actually meant to hang on the walls, but they were sturdy metal, so I installed brackets and screwed them on giving extra visible snack bins.

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I’ve seen lots of organization posts that show baskets with labels or shelves with labels – I thought about doing that, but after a week of living with this pantry reorganization I found I don’t need labels – everything is visible!  

Next Grocery related project to tackle: KITCHEN!

What do you need to organize?  Join our discussion on Facebook and Twitter!

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There are a ton of things that can be done with wood pallets and wood pallets are in a huge abundance!  The trick is finding a wood pallet for free.  So here is how I found some wood pallets, for Free.

3 Places to Find Wood Pallets for Free for your Wood Pallet Project

You are going to have to ask:

• small businesses.  Large businesses like grocery stores (that have stacks and stacks of them) have recycling/return processes already in place to recover some costs.   The small businesses like local hardware, nurseries, pet/feed supply stores will usually just put them in the dumpster.  I go to certain nursery quiet a bit so I know the owners, and they’ll let me grab what I want.
• local farmer(s).  This is one that I happened upon.  In yoga class I actually asked aloud if anyone knew where I could get a hold of some pallets, and one of the ladies said she had some.  Hay is delivered to her horses on pallets and she had a bunch sitting next to her barn.   She was planning on burning them – I saved her time and aggravation by taking them.  Win-win!  Perfect!!!
• construction sites.  Our neighborhood is growing and what do they deliver bricks, cinderblocks and other construction materials on?  Pallets, lots and lots of pallets!! Often times they go straight into the big dumpster, so ask before they get in the dumpster, ask someone on the site if they wouldn’t mind stacking them in the corner of the garage for you to take.  Most will just shrug and do it.  

This Bike Rack Pallet Project is one of the wood pallet projects that I completed within 15 minutes.  I literally had to saw three places and I was done.

For some reason the bikes now-a-days do not have kick-stands, so once the training wheels are off they just lay on the ground.  A bike in the middle of my garage does not make me a happy camper.

With this 15 minute wood pallet project all I used was a hand saw –  if you have a circular saw, it’s a lot faster!

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What would you build with a wooden pallet?  Join our conversation on Facebook and Twitter!

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Two years ago I wrote a post about my thoughts on Valentines Day that I never published because my hubby read it and said I sounded bitter. So I’ll write a bit of it now, I’m not jaded against Valentines Day, I just don’t get what the big deal is! So let me explain why I don’t like Valentine’s Day before I get into this weeks Friday Funny that CRACKED ME UP!

Why I don’t like Valentine’s Day

1. Waste of Money:  Surely I am not the only one that noticed a significant mark up in the cost of flowers during Valentines?
2. Flowers Die and Candy Gets Eaten:  I don’t think I really need to say much else about this reason…, but just in case – it goes back to waste of money.
3. Unnecessary Pressure: I’ve heard it on the radio all week, ‘what are you going to get your special valentine’, ‘get your valentine a piece of fine jewelry from …’, ‘make dinner reservations now for a special valentines…’.  The reality is that a relationship is based on giving EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR {period}, not one day that was created because some guy was beheaded many, many, many years ago.

Bottom line: be happy with the one you love every-single-day, love is a gift that can’t be bought.  So, as I tell my husband (married almost 15 years and known each other for 20 years), “don’t buy me anything, I’m happy; and I generally buy want I want anyway. So, I’m good. :)”

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Yes I know I’m probably irking a lot of people off and fueling guys reasoning for not liking Valentine’s Day.  But ah well, can’t make everyone happy – right!?

What about you; do you like Valentine’s Day and why? Cause clearly I don’t get it. Join our conversation on Facebook and Twitter!

The post Friday Funny: Valentine’s – What a Joke :) appeared first on Grinning Like An Idiot: Create your Happiness.

So this was a craft that started out one way and ended two different ways, it could have been a complete cluster if I didn’t have patience.  So why in the world did I start off making a 100 piece heart?

Em had the 100th day of school and on the 99th day (yes the night before), I’m informed that “you need to get a shirt and put 100 somethings on it”  my response “why do ‘I’…’need’ to do this?” …And so it began – two birds, one stone: why not make it work for Valentines too!  Feel free to DOWNLOAD BY SELECTING THE SILHOUETTE TEMPLATE, but keep reading because there are two ways to do this!

Fortunately, I already had a pink shirt for her and I had just purchased some Cricut Iron on Glitter, Pink (yes, I know it’s not Silhouette) to try for a different project – but oh well.  So off I go, I made 100 circles by copying and pasting them, then meticulously place them in the shape of a heart on my computer. So that was the easy part.

Here are my mistakes and corrections when using Cricut with a Silhouette Machine

The cutting:

• Mistake: because the material I used wasn’t Silhouette brand and it was really pretty thick I set the blade to 4, the first time (which was the recommendation if it where Silhouette Glitter Flock Pattern Paper) – didn’t cut all the way through.
• Correction: The 2nd time I set it to 6 – bingo!

The transfer onto the T-shirt:

• Mistake: I thought I could just use Silhouette transfer tape to gather the whole design onto the t-shirt.  The transfer tape worked really well, but the adhesive of the Cricut Iron on Glitter vinyl would not stick to the shirt.  The result, I had a 100 pieces stuck to transfer tape.
• Correction: I peeled the 100 pieces of the transfer tape and meticulously placed them in the shape of a heart on the t-shirt.  (Sound familiar?)

Then, I ironed the dots on.  Done and it’s pretty cool!

I have to hand it to Cricut Iron on Glitter, Pink; it is definitely glittery.  And after I washed the shirt inside out, it turned out soft and really nice!

The surprise that came from this adventure in crafting is that I now have a FANTASTIC stencil where I can just use glitter paint to get the same affect and was WAY more fun because Em got to actually help me (I’m a bit of a control freak).

Reuse Cricut Iron-on Glitter as a T-Shirt Stencil

The second time I made the t-shirt, I used:

• The template created from the first design
• 1-Inch Foam Brushes
• Poster Removable Mounting Tape
• Tulip Fabric Slick White Fabric Paint
• Tulip Glitter White Fabric Paint
• Paper Weights

I placed the Double-sided poster tape sporadically around the stencil.

Then held it in place with the paper weights

Then we got to the fun part! (Anyone else notice that almost everything in this picture is pink?)

Em and I got to work together to paint the Silhouette Heart design on the t-shirt together!

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So, here is what I’d recommend based on my mess-ups: save yourself at least 2 hours from doing the steps that I did and just download this Silhouette Template and paint the design on.  

Join our discussion on Facebook and Twitter: What craft mistake have you recovered from?

Note: This post does contain an affiliate link with Amazon so if you decide to purchase one through my links above I will receive a form of compensation for my referral to Amazon. I’ll be glad to know that my opinion and experience influenced my readers and many thanks for reading!!!

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I love a good dessert… I mean a really, really good dessert – you know the kind: the ones that are ‘worth it’ – worth the effort to make and/or worth the calories. In honor of the upcoming holiday, I’ve compiled a list of 14 AMAZING Chocolate Recipes!

14 Chocolate Recipes that are AMAZING

Check out All About Chocolate

by Stephanie at Foodie.com

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It’s a tough choice, but: Which one do you want NOW?Join our discussion on Facebook and Twitter

This is a sponsored post, which means, while all opinions are mine, I will receive compensation for my writing and time. Thank you for valuing my work!

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I forget Groundhog day every year; it happens every February 2nd, I know this, but it just never resonates for me as an event…do you know why? Spring… Spring starts in March – every… single… year!

About the only GOOD thing about Groundhog Day is the movie. Which this video reminded me of and CRACKED ME UP! This is real-life! The poor girl, just couldn’t figure it out and repeated the same thing over and over.

Pin it for a laugh later! 

What is your favorite scene from Groundhog Day? Join our conversation on Facebook and Twitter!

The post Friday Funny: Groundhog Day – Wait What?! appeared first on Grinning Like An Idiot: Create your Happiness.

My blog isn’t about reviews or giveaways, but it is about what I find extremely helpful, fun, recipes and ideas, so I wanted to share with you guys one of my favorite gifts I received for Christmas, Neato Vacuum.

This thing is so awesome! I’ve even named her Rosie after the Jetson’s maid. With 2 kids and a dog there is always stuff on our floors, and given we have mostly hardwood floors you can really see everything! 

I’ve had the Neato Vacuum for a month now and here is what I found:

• She readily sucks up legos – yeah!  Those pesky little things shouldn’t be on the floor anyway! Here she got a Nerf Gun bullet.

• She hates socks on the floor and will try to suck them up and can’t.  So she beeps at you to tell you on her monitor to “please clean my brush”, so you need to remove the sock or she won’t continue. In this picture, Rosie grabbed one of those Nerf Gun Bullets, she didn’t like it.
  • The way I figured it, I’ve tried maid services before and I always picked up/put away before they got here, Rosie is just like that too, except a ton cheaper and not in my way (I don’t like people cleaning my house. )
• She will run for about an hour or so before returning to her station to recharge.  Once the Neato Vacuum recharges, she’ll return to where she left off and keep cleaning.
• She is small enough to get under beds, our dinning room buffet – places I never got! So the first day I had to really be there for her, as she found a TON of socks under the bed, legos, rubber balls etc.  A month later, the areas under the bed are spotless!
• She does get stuck between the wall and the toilet.  So she’ll sit there and beep at me indicating “my bumper is stuck”, so I have to pick her up and move her.  But I give her kudos for vacuuming the bathroom!

• She’ll beep at me when it’s time to clean her dirt bin with “please empty my dirt bin and filter if needed” displayed across the screen.
• Because of the kids and Sophie, our dog, I run the Neato Vacuum once a day.  Before I had her I’d run a dust mop twice a day to catch all the dog hair.
• She doesn’t take the place of a wet mop though, I still use Bona Hardwood Floor Mop on my floors to get up the sticky spots the kids seem to leave (milk splashes on the floor almost every morning from their cereal bowls…).
• She does not like shag rugs like my kids have in their rooms.

Check out this short video of Rosie our Neato Vacuum Cleaner:

Silhouette Cameo Personalization to my Neato Vacuum

I have only named two ‘things‘ in my life: the first was ‘Bob’ my tennis racket in High School and now Rosie the Neato Vacuum Cleaner, she is now a member of our house. Back in High School I didn’t have a cool machine like the Silhouette Cameo to add the name to my tennis racket, with Rosie I can. And did.

Using the Font “Some Weatz” from dafont.com for the decorative R and then a separate text box for the rest of the word using “Marion” font from ufont.com. 

Once cut, then I use the Silhouette Transfer Paper to center the Silhouette Personalization onto the Neato Vacuum.

      And vola!  There she is, our latest helpful addition!  Rosie our Neato Vacuum  Robot!!!

Now all I need is a flying duster :), if they ever come out with one of those I’ll name it Pepper – wouldn’t that be awesome!

What was your favorite gift you’ve ever received? Have you ever named a ‘thing’?  Join our discussion on Facebook and Twitter!

Note: this is an unsolicited review, meaning I wasn’t given this product as a gift to write about, but it is something I wrote about on my own accord and all opinions are mine.  This post does contain an affiliate link with Amazon so if you decide to purchase one through my links above I will receive a form of compensation for my referral to Amazon.  I’ll be glad to know that my opinion and experience influenced my readers and many thanks for reading!!!

The post Neato Vacuum Cleaner – My Unsolicited Review And Silhouette Personalization appeared first on Grinning Like An Idiot: Create your Happiness.

We have a tendency to let bananas get too ripe, you know brown…but that is the perfect ripe for banana nut bread!

I’ve been playing around with recipes and I’ve hit on a winner, it’s a modification of Banana nut bread where I replaced the butter with applesauce, added dried cherries, pecans, cinnamon, almond extract and other goodies!

This is what the ripe bananas and applesauce looks like.

After I added the sugar, vanilla, almond extract, eggs, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and mixed well, I think added the pecans and dried cherries.

You have to try this!  It is the most  flavorful bread I’ve had!  AND, if you have any of the Banana Cherry Nut Bread left the next day, then use it to make French Toast with syrup – it is amazing!

Banana Cherry Nut Bread

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Yields: 1 large and 1 small loaf

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. applesauce
• 1/4 c. dried cherries
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tbsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 2 c. flour

1. Place bananas in large bowl and mash with electric mixer.
2. Stir in the sugar and let stand 15 minutes.
3. Add the applesauce and eggs and beat well.
4. Beat in the baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg, vanilla and almond, then gradually beat in the flour, mixing thoroughly.
5. Stir in Dried Cherries and Pecans.
6. Pour into a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan that has been coated with nonstick spray.
7. Bake at 350°F for 55 - 65 minutes, or until you are able to poke it with a wooden toothpick and the toothpick comes out clean.

• Preparation time: 15 Minutes
• Cook time: 55-65 Minutes
• Total time: 105 Minutes

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I’m writing an ebook and it’s almost ready for publication except for some photos that I need to take and some videos that I’m working on adding to the ebook. While I’ve been making the videos, I can’t help but notice my voice has a bit of a southern accent. I do live in Alabama…

When I first started recording my voice in demonstrations I had to retake at least 10 times to cut out the ‘so’,’um'; you know, clutch phrases. Then I noticed my southern accent and thought, ‘I can’t fix that!’…I’ve been told ‘it’s endearing and calming’…we’ll see. I just hope my accent isn’t too hard to understand.

I saw the below video months ago, it cracked me up so much that I saved it for future reference. It has some Scottish guys trying to speak to a voice activated elevator:), I’ve watched the video several times and there are certain words/phrases I have yet to figure out what they said!.

And here are some really, really Southern Accents from women in “The Southern Women’s Channel”

– I don’t think I’m on this playing field just yet, but give me another 20 years in the south and I sure I will be.
I really wonder what people across the world will think of my little southern voice navigating them through templates that I’ve designed, surely it’s not as bad as these accents! Ah, well.

Stay tuned for my upcoming ebook, hopefully my accent won’t kill it. Please join our conversation on Facebook and Twitter and share your funnies!

The post Friday Funny: Accents are Hard to Understand appeared first on Grinning Like An Idiot: Create your Happiness.

We all need a go-to list of recipes that are easy, quick and healthy.  Here is my list of go to recipes with a couple of shout outs from bloggers I’ve gotten permission to share their images and recipes.  If you haven’t heard of them, you need to check them out!

This quick and healthy meal West African Chicken Stew by I’m Bored – Let’s Go is a wonderful warm dish with peanut butter and chicken – great protein source!

This quick and healthy meal Low Fat Alfredo Sauce by Close To Home is a great way to keep Alfredo on our family’s menu and lighten it up!

This quick and healthy meal Zucchini Pizza Boats by Pepper Scraps is low calorie and full of flavor!

This quick and healthy meal Shrimp Scampi with Tomatoes and Green Beans by The Mamma Homemaker is low calorie, high protein, veggies and full of flavor!

This quick and healthy meal Chow Mein by Family Living on a Budget is low calorie, high protein, made with whole wheat pasta and mouthwatering!

Check out all 36 meals here!

Check out Healthy and Quick Recipes

by Stephanie at Foodie.com

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If you have a healthy meal or a comment, please join our conversation on Facebook and Twitter!

This is a sponsored post, which means, while all opinions are mine, I will receive compensation for my writing and time. Thank you for valuing my work!

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